In the years immediately prior to the Spanish-American War, Broward was partner in an enterprise which built The Three Friends, a "filibuster" ship trading with revolutionaries in Cuba. Spain issued a $25,000 reward for Broward's capture, and the United States indicted him for violations of the Neutrality Act. The charge was dropped after declaration of war in 1898. Among Broward's accomplishments as Governor were extensive projects to drain the Everglades, a reorganization of the schools, and mental institution reforms.